Animal Activity Meter: Opto-M4

General Information

The Columbus Instruments Opto M4 is our latest implementation of our popular multi-channel activity monitor that supports a variety of sensor lengths and configurations (successor to the previous generation's Opto M3). Up to 32 channels are supported providing both ambulatory and total counts for each channel. Communication is via serial RS-422 using the CI Bus protocol (MDI Software). Cabling is simplified by the use of 8 channel hubs that connect to the Opto M4 with 25 pin shielded cables. Sensor cabling uses convenient RJ-45 connectors and sensor power is supplied from the Opto M4 controller over the signal cables so no external power supplies are required. Unique to this system is the ability to re-arrange sensors to change the coverage of each cage. For example, a 20 cage X axis only system can be reconfigured to measure X and Z axes in 10 cages. Additional sensors and brackets can be purchased to expand the number of cages or coverage per cage. The Opto M4 can also be integrated with other CI Bus compatible instruments to incorporates multiple measurement parameters such as feeding mass/bouts, drinking volume, VO2 and VCO2, etc.

Sensors can be re-arranged to allow for wider flexibility. A feature unique to Opto M4 system is the ability to re-arrange the sensor sets to cover more cages with fewer axes of measurement, or fewer cages with measurement in more axes per cage.

Flexibility Example 1: A system purchased for Open Field measurement in 2 cages in X, Y and Z (rearing) axes...

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Can then be reconfigured to measure general locomotor activity and rearing in 3 home cages...

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Or measure general locomotor activity only in 6 home cages.

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Flexibility Example 2: The distance between sensors is adjustable for X and XZ axis setups.

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Flexibility Example 3: We can also make custom fixed frames around any cage of your choosing. Shown below are fixed frames that we have made for a 17.5" x 17.5" (44.5 cm x 44.5 cm) Open Field cage, a typical mouse shoebox cage, and another we made for a miniaturized Open Field Cage for small mice.

References Cited (101)

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